Delft + tulips

Prepare for plenty of canal shots.

Near the central square in Delft.

Travels with Mom!

Keukenhof with Mom, Julia and Iza.

Sun dial

Those streets.

Delft in the evening light.

Chocolate, obviously.

Cycling in the Netherlands -- felt so right :)

So this weekend in the Netherlands (first visit for both Mom and I) was in late April/early May. You can tell I'm a bit behind with posting -- also getting a bit fed up with how long it takes to upload pictures to Blogger, so may make the change to WordPress soon (about 10 years after everyone else!). Watch this space.

On my bookshelf

There in the darkness they were quiet for a while, and then he said, "I guess I've had my time of suffering. Not so much by Ezekiel's standards. And there might be more to come. At my age, I'm sure there is. But at least I've had enough of it by now to know that this is grace." His arm was across the back of the couch behind her, and he touched her hair.

Marilynne Robinson, Lila

Isle of Skye | July 2017

I've just finished reading Lila, one of three books in Marilynne Robinson's saga about a little town in middle America called Gilead. It's hard to put into words the impression the book has made on me, but it's got me thinking more deeply about a number of things: the importance of names, shame, loneliness, grace, the beauty and mystery in ordinary life, and the many different kinds of love people show to each other -- including the fact that human love can sometimes be what helps us to come to understand divine love. The beauty of Marilynne Robinson as an author is that she can do all this and more while telling a compelling, sometimes difficult, story, and writing glorious, lyrical prose. Stop what you're doing and read it now, if you possibly can.

Lecce | Italy

It's been a shockingly long time since I've posted anything. So here, for your viewing pleasure, are some pictures of a brief but lovely weekend in the very south of Italy with my dear friend Debs.

Central square

Possibly the prettiest tourist information point I've ever seen.

The colour of that stone, though!

Of course we peeked in at the wedding.

On our way to Gallipoli (not the famous one, but lovely!).

Lots of graffiti -- and my finger in the corner of the shot.

Gallipoli

My affection for lighthouses continues.

So glad Debs decided to organise a (for her) post-exam holiday -- and to invite me along!

Such a lovely meal looking out over the sea!

Couldn't decide which was my favourite!

Cutest old men weaving baskets!

Back in Lecce.

Sunday people watching in the park.

A'Roma -- beautiful food!

When in Lecce...